"Think" is the new single from South Korean rapper and singer Reddy, alongside another South Korean rapper and singer, the one and only Jay Park.
Released on Feb. 3, "Think" is a brooding and atmospheric love song driven by chilly synths, plodding drum machines and half-sung, half-rapped vocals.
Last fall, Reddy collaborated with the US rapper brandUn DeShay on the transcontinental single "Chi Kwon." And Jay Park has been busy, too. A recent single, titled "In This B*tch," was released last fall and showcased the Korean rapper's bilingual skills, as he performed entirely in English.
Hypnotic synths abound on "Think," covering up a lot of sonic space.
Washed-out keyboards reminiscent of that famous Canadian rapper Drake sit alongside icy arpeggios. This sets the table for a sound that is simultaneously chilly and romantic, like a couple sharing a milkshake in the winter.
All the while, Jay Park and Reddy spit their game on bars that go in and out of singing and rapping. With lines like "wherever you go, I'll hold your hand," there is no doubt that "Think" is a love song.
The imprint of Drake and his producer Noah "40" Shebib are all over this single. From the Southern hip-hop-leaning drums to the keyboard work pointing to genres like trip hop and techno, a lot of Drake's template has been absorbed into this song. Also like Drake, the pacing can be a little languid. Somewhere between a ballad and a banger, the end result is a song that could maybe work in few different contexts.
At the end of the day, though, everything about "Think" teeters on the edge of being a straight-up slow jam. Which is fine, but maybe not ideal for fans of Jay Park or Reddy's more uptempo, rap-focused work.
Maybe the haters simply need to find someone to maybe share this romantic ballad with!
Watch The Video For "Think" By Reddy Featuring Jay Park RIGHT HERE
John Chiaverina is a musician and journalist living in New York City. He has performed in over 18 countries, including two tours of South Korea, under the name "Juiceboxxx."
